Auckland rents higher than Melbourne, global comparison reveals

Average house rent in Auckland tops Melbourne

Auckland rents higher than Melbourne, global comparison reveals

Kiwis looking to rent a home might be surprised to learn that it’s now cheaper to rent in Melbourne than in Auckland.  

According to new data from realestate.co.nz, the average weekly rent for a house in Auckland in May 2025 was $750, while Melbourne came in slightly lower at $745. 

The surprising comparison means Kiwis could save the equivalent of a weekly coffee by renting across the ditch. 

Australia not a cheap haven across the board 

While Melbourne may offer minor savings, other Australian cities remain far pricier than New Zealand’s. Sydney renters are paying an average of $983 a week, while Brisbane tops the chart at $1,161 – more than double the weekly cost of renting in Christchurch ($575). 

This comes after Stats NZ reported record-breaking net migration losses in 2024, with half of departing citizens relocating to Australia. But these figures show not all destinations offer financial relief. 

How do New Zealand cities compare to other global hubs? 

The global rent snapshot from realestate.co.nz paints a broader picture: 

City 

Weekly Rent (NZD) 

Local Currency 

Christchurch 

$575 

$575 NZD 

Wellington 

$670 

$670 NZD 

Melbourne 

$745 

$690 AUD 

Auckland 

$750 

$750 NZD 

Vancouver 

$859 

$710 CAD 

Sydney 

$983 

$910 AUD 

Los Angeles 

$1,142 

$688 USD 

Brisbane 

$1,161 

$1,075 AUD 

New York 

$1,350 

$813 USD 

London 

$1,526 

£675 GBP 

 

Kiwis renting in London are now paying more than double what they would in Auckland. Likewise, those in New York face weekly rents of $1,350, more than twice the cost in Wellington. 

NZ remains affordable in global context – but not without challenges 

“In a global context, New Zealand’s rental market offers some competitive advantages, but we need to be careful not to overlook affordability pressures at home,” said Vanessa Williams (pictured), spokesperson for realestate.co.nz. 

“Local wage growth, supply of rentals, and broader economic conditions all play a role in the experience of Kiwi renters.” 

That pressure is mounting for landlords too, with a record 40% now saying it’s difficult to secure good tenants – a sharp turnaround from 14 months ago, when 25% said it was easy, according to the latest Crockers Investor Insight survey with Tony Alexander

Rents down nationally – but still a mixed bag 

Despite the international comparisons, renters in New Zealand are seeing slight relief. The national average weekly rent in May dropped to $633, down $27 year-on-year – a decline of 4.1%. 

Still, affordability remains a growing concern.  

“Although New Zealand cities don’t top the affordability charts, they remain attractive to renters seeking balance between lifestyle, access to urban centres, and relatively competitive rent levels,” Williams said.